Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud
    • Networking
    • PC Hardware
    • Storage

    VMware Seeks Virtual Success with New Software

    By
    Scott Ferguson
    -
    January 29, 2007
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      After a four-month beta run, VMware is preparing to release the full version of its Converter 3 virtualization software Jan. 29.

      The Palo Alto, Calif., company, the leader in x86 server virtualization software, is releasing the full version of its product after beta testing the software since Oct. 2. The software allows automation of physical-to-virtual servers without having to shut down the physical server, as well as virtual-to-virtual conversion. The software also allows users to clone machines from a remote console.

      The race to offer better, more versatile and easier-to-use virtualization software has only increased as enterprises look to contain server sprawl, reduce the use of power in the data center and save on cooling costs. In an Aug. 31 report by Enterprise Management Associates, researchers found that deployment of virtualization is growing by about 26 percent annually.

      Timothy Happychuk, regional IT director for Montreal-based Quebecor-Sun Media Group, one of Canadas largest media companies, has been dealing with these type of issues—power, cooling, sprawl—for years, and he first started looking at various virtualization tools about three years ago.

      Part of the problem at Quebecor-Sun is that IT has been saddled with legacy systems that still run mission-critical functions, such as taking video and news feeds from satellites for the companys newsrooms.

      The problems with migrating some of this proprietary software off older servers to more modern servers–a 16-way IBM server, for example–is that it used to take nearly a month to physically convert the applications to a virtual machine, Happychuk said.

      /zimages/3/28571.gifClick here to read more about SWsofts acquisition of Parallels.

      For the last four months, Happychuk and his IT staff have been involved in the beta testing of the Converter 3 software, and he said hes been able to speed up virtualization from one machine a month to running several conversions a day.

      “The first night we used the software, we targeted six systems to migrate at the same time, and we launched the application and watched it go to work,” Happychuk told eWEEK. “No one was more shocked than me the first time it worked.”

      VMware is looking to replicate this type of success elsewhere.

      While VMware has shown that it will remain the market leader in x86 virtualization software for some time, competitors like Virtual Iron and vendors using the open-source virtualization hypervisor Xen have started to offer lower-cost alternatives.

      The full Convert 3 software being released Jan. 29 will come in two versions—both free. The Converter Starter edition is geared toward SMBs (small and midsize businesses) and can perform one conversion at a time.

      The Enterprise addition can perform multiple conversions, like the type of virtual migrations Happychuk experimented with at Quebecor-Sun, and comes free for those companies that have a subscription to VMwares VirtualCenter Management Server, said Ben Matheson, VMwares director of product management and marketing.

      The plan to offer the software for free is twofold, according to Matheson. The first is to get more companies familiar with virtualization, especially the products made by VMware. The second is the hope that once the companies use the products, they will want to expand into VMwares high-end software offerings.

      “This tool is totally and fully focused on customer feedback,” Matheson said. “We are the market leader in physical-to-virtual tools and usability performance and reliability. We are continuing to be focused on customer concerns and reliability and making a scalable product.”

      /zimages/3/28571.gifClick here to read more about VMware courting software developers.

      To that end, Matheson said the company will promote the Converter 3 as a faster way to perform virtualization tasks within the data center, as well as a tool that allows IT administrators the ability to use automation to clone machines.

      In addition, the VMware has expanded its software support to include the 32- and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows XP and Server 2003, as well as Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4 SP4+.

      Charles King, an analyst with Pund-IT Research, said 2007 will shape up as an interesting year for VMware as other virtualization software makers, such as Virtual Iron, Microsoft with its Virtual Server software and IBM with the virtualization capabilities in its Power 5 processor, look to chip away at the x86 market.

      King said VMware has been able to distinguish itself, so far, from these other companies by offering products that are easier to use and manage.

      “Its a very interesting product that they have developed for their users,” King said. “They have really managed to keep the conversation [around virtualization] going and I think thats why they have proved themselves superior all year long.”

      /zimages/3/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, reviews and analysis on IT management.

      Scott Ferguson
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×